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In addition to short comics by some of Dark Horse’s top talent, “MySpace Dark Horse Presents” – the free anthology presented monthly on MySpace — has also showcased works by up-and-coming creators. But which category would Famous Mysterious Actor find himself in? The late-night television personality stars in a two-page strip called “Famous Mysterious Actor in the Couch Fort” that features in January’s edition of “MDHP,” illustrated by Todd Herman and written by FMA creators Joe Frice and Josh Fisher. CBR News caught up with Frice to discuss the piece and Famous’ other upcoming appearances.

“I noticed that the FMA comic’s writing credit went to The Famous Mysterious Actor,” Frice told CBR News. “Just like always, Famous gets all the glory!! Bless his little heart.”

The strip is based on “The Famous Mysterious Actor Show,” which Frice described as “Portland, Oregon’s live Late Night Talk Show, hosted by the world’s greatest entertainer: The Famous Mysterious Actor!” The television show is based on Frice’s own sketch comedy performances. “‘Famous’ is kind of a candy-chomping, childlike, selfish, goof-ball sweetie pie who somehow got his own Talk Show,” Frice said.

Frice suggested that Famous’s “MySpace Dark Horse Presents” item stems from his incredible networking ability. “Since the format of the show is a talk show, we are always looking to book guests. When the first Hellboy movie came out, we thought we could just call Dark Horse and get the writer on the show. We ended up with [editor] Scott Allie. You do the math,” he joked. “Seriously though, that’s how we met Scottie and he’s been on the show a handful of times since then. He’s good people, that Scott Allie. Anywho – we had talked about doing an FMA comic for the last couple years but kept getting sidetracked by hiatuses (hiati?), babies and life as it were. Now our dream shines like a beacon of freedom for all. In two-page comic form.”

Detail from “The Famous Mysterious Actor in the Couch Fort”

As to whether comics readers will see more “beacons of freedom” going forward, Frice said, “We’ll have to see what the reaction is to this one is, I guess. We’d love to get some feedback from readers!”

The writer-actor’s own background in comics began with such series as “Richie Rich,” “Super Goof,” and “Archie.” “These were the comics my grandma would have waiting for me when my family would go visit her and my grandpa,” Frice explained. “I think they were from a used book store she went to, but I can’t swear by it. Years later, I became fascinated by the G.I. Joe comics from Marvel in the 1980s. That was about it until I was 15 or 16 and found comic shops to get back issues of ‘G.I. Joe.’ I went a few times but it wasn’t until I was an adult and started reading my friends’ graphic novels that I started ‘collecting’ again.”

Frice said the Famous Mysterious Actor Show will be opening the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, which runs April 23-26. “It’s Portland’s giant comedy-fest that’s going to be in its second year,” he told CBR. “Last year was much better than I had anticipated, so I’m really looking forward to this year! Plus, last year the Famous Mysterious Actor performed solo–and with the help of a few of the FMA Players, he introduced headliner Patton Oswalt–and this year we are doing our whole show!”